I am finishing the Ron Francis kit and was wondering what everyone does with the rear light connections? Do you cut the connectors off the original harness and splice this into the ron francis wire? Or should I go buy an electrical connector that plugs into the rear light and if so where can I get this?

This has been my first time on a totalwiring re-do and it was a bit of a mission but i think it would be much easier the next time (it helped that a mechanic from where I worked gave me about dozen different types of crimpers and tutorial on the shrink wrap, etc.)

 

I used the painless harness and I would buy the connectors. It makes a better look and alot easier for trouble shotting. Even with a connector (Depeneding on the type) make sure it is completely protected.

 

I would cut and solder the ends on. Why have two possible bad spots where connectors are?

 

If your factory connectors are still in good condition, I would use those. Solder it, heat-shrink it and forget it.

 

What are the pros and cons of soldering vs. crimping?

 

It's kinda like pop riveting floor pans in v. welding them in. Always solder, especially on a safety item like taillights.

 

I like that analogy, I'll have to remember that...

 

As an electrical engineer,I would disagree with you. The issue is not the crimp vs. the solder joint but the ability to keep the joint corrossion free.

 

Jig, assuming you can maintain the connection, what is the best means to: (a) create a connection - sloder vs crimp and (b) accomplish a corrosion-free connection?

thanks in advance.

 

A> Although it's not terribly difficult, soldering is probably the hardest of the two to perform so that you don't get a cold joint. Also, on the other side of it, overheating of thewiring causes brittleness and eventual fatigue cracking. If you got skills solder it, if not use a crimp splice. Regardless of your method, external environmental protection is necessary.

B>Before the joint is mechanically connected, slide a peice or two of heat shrinking plastic tubing on the wire, two layersare better, (so the outer shrink is 1/2 " longer than the inner shrink). You can also put some silicone grease around the joint before sliding the shirk tubing in place.but after soldering or crimping. (that's how the commercial buriable eletrical connectors are made)